CAN WE JUST PAUSE FOR A SECOND AND LOOK WHO MADE A GRAPHIC FOR THIS SERIES. FINALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY. Like, we’re not even doing the princesses anymore, but I made me a graphic. I feel so excited.
Anyway, we also finally have ourselves a segment again. I’ve been so way behind with this series, since it takes so much creativity, and I have just been doneeeeeeeeeeee. I’m not sure how regular I’m going to be with this agian, but hopefully it will be back to a weekly or every other week status. Fingers crossed.
This week, our hero of the week is…
Hercules!
After rewatching this movie a few months back, I realized just how much a favorite this movie is for me. Although cliche and fitting so much to the superhero status, Hercules is an interesting guy – and totally just gives me so many Percy Jackson feels since he is one of my favorite demigods. He’s a strong, brave hero. He understands there is more to his life, and he is desperate to be a hero and be something more. He wants to fit in and be with his family, and once he gets a mission or a goal, he is dedicated to his cause. He will do anything for those that he loves and for humanity.
What YA books would Hercules go the distance for?
Renegades by Marissa Meyer
Okay, this is a clear one. Superheroes are such a clear thing that Hercules would be into. However, I think this book is extra perfect. Basically, Hercules is Adrian from the book who is clearly on the Renegades side, and then we have Meg who is clearly Nova from the book who teeters on both the Renegades and Anarchists side. BET YOU DIDN’T THINK ABOUT THAT. I feel like Hercules could draw many parallels from his life and their lives, and I think he would be so in love with all of their intriguing powers.
Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu
Oh, look, another superhero novel. ARE WE SURPRISED THAT MANDY IS TAKING THE EASY WAY OUT? No, no, we are not. But I was on the fence about adding in Wonder Woman or Batman in, but I felt like Hercules would connect a bit more with Batman. Bruce did anything for his city and did anything for what he believed was right. He was in love with a girl that was clearly in trouble and playing him, and he constantly sees the good in people. He also gets a thrill from the action and potential of being in a dangerous situation. Bruce will go the distance…just like Hercules.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
I think Hercules would be so eager to dive into a different type of hero novel. Hercules’s transformation and story of becoming a true hero, to me, is just as classic of the Cinderella story. They are both outcasts due to their outside traits (his strength, Cinder because she’s part cyborg); they both try to make lives better; they both find out they are kids of super important people; and they both have an evil somewhat crazy overlord after them (still love you, though, Hades). I think he would be quite intrigued to see how much they have in common, and the story has enough action to keep the man of action entertained.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
I totally see Hercules being into all the action stories jam packed with action, magic, and all sorts of drama. An Ember in the Ashes would totally fit this description, and I think Hercules would love reading about the trials for sure. It would remind him of all the things that he had to do in order to become a true hero as well. He would also admire the strength of the two protagonists to save each other and others.
A book Hercules would consider a zero (not a hero)
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Percy says some very, very bad things about Hercules’s dad – and I don’t think Hercules would be quite pleased with that. I think he would be intrigued with the series when he first saw it because greek gods, but then get a little fed up with how his long lost dad was treated…even though Hercules basically lived the camp life.
Want to read more about Hercules?
Eh, I don’t think there is anything in YA that can help you with that. If you are looking for some Greek mythology fun, Percy Jackson is the way to go, but he doesn’t cover Percy Jackson so much.
Reblogged this on Reads & Reels.
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Thanks so much! You’re so sweet! ❤
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You’re welcome ☺
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I LOVE THIS POST! Such a great idea!
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Thanks so much, Samantha!! 😀
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There’s a YA series (upper MG? the series definitely matures as you read on) that is inspired by byzantine Greece called The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner. While it doesn’t derive from the Greek mythology we know, it does have its own pantheon. There’s no Hercules, sadly, but I think the protagonist, Eugenides, is to die for, lol.
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Ooooooh, I’m going to have to check that out. I’ve never heard of it, but it sounds great and I totally think Hercules would love it (AND ME – MOSTLY ME).
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Ohh I hope you would! It’s actually my favourite series of all time! It’s one of the twistiest and smartest set of books I’ve ever known. It actually made quite a big splash last year, because the 5th book in the series came out (after 7 long years since the last).
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I think I might have heard about that! Seven years is such a long time to wait. And oooh you have totally sold me on them!
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Nightwalker look so cool! I am definitely going to have to check that out.
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It was definitely a nice easy read! 😀
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I think Hercules would love reading Furyborn by Claire Legrand! Rianelle had her own challenges to tackle and it reminded me of Hercule’s.
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oooooooh, that is such a brilliant suggestion, Sophie!! I love that idea. She definitely gets stronger as she goes along too like him.
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I love this! I agree Hercules would love Renegades and Cinder.
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Thanks so much, Steph!! And yesssss! 😉
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Yesss girlll!!! Love the new princes series especially since you started with Herc, such an underrated fave. 🙂 I plan on reading Renegades and Batman: Nightwalker soon too!
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Thanks so much, Rebecca!! And yesssss. He really is always so underrated but he’s easily in the top 5 princes section. And oooh, I can’t wait to see your opinion on them !!
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You’re welcome!! 🙂 I was thinking about disneybounding with my bf as Hercules and Meg but I knew it would be hard to find an outfit for him 😛
Yesss, I’m waiting on Batman: Nightwalker to come in the mail!
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Awhhhhh that would have been adorable, but yeah, I definitely can imagine that outfit would be a bit hard to find, lol. XD
And wooooo! Hopefully it will arrive soon. 😉
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WHO PUT THE GLAD IN GLADIATOR??
HERCULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh Mandy this was absolutely perfect!!! Hercules would def be all over these superheroish books! Especially if he sees parallels of himself and Meg! Afterall….
HE IS ADRIAN AND MEG IS NOVA!!! *mind blown*
I can’t wait to see who is next!!!
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WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
And thanks so much, Rendz!! And THANK YOU. I wasn’t sure if I was going too far with that, but it just seemed so deep?
And thank you! I’ve actually got a few planned out for once and I think you’ll like one coming up. 😉
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“I’ve actually got a few planned out for once and I think you’ll like one coming up. 😉”
*RENDZ BECOMES FURIOUSLY EXCITED!*
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WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. AGAIN. *fingers crossed at least*
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Oh, these are fantastic recommendations! We need more Herc in YA though. You should get on that.
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Lol IK. I just got to the part in Heroes of Olympus when he appeared and I’m like, well, that was disappointing. He wasn’t a cool Herc. I think I would cry if they did a retelling of his story with Meg. And thanks so much, Kyera!!
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